CASTLETON -- Goold Orchards, like many Hudson Valley fruit orchards, will only see about 10 percent of their usual apple produce and sales this year due to the mild winter that urged apple tree growth too early and a spring frost killing much of the already blooming apples.

The trees "woke up" about four weeks early, explained multiple local farmers in Rensselaer County.

For those who enjoy visiting the orchards for their fresh produce and goods, Goold is hosting its 24th annual Apple Festival and Craft Show this weekend that is the second largest event in the county, explained Sue Goold Miller whose family has owned the 100-acre farm for 102 years. She said anywhere from 22,000 to 25,000 people could be expected at the festival, weather permitting.

The Farm at Kristy's Barn in Schodack this weekend is offering pick your own pumpkins, raspberries, and apples for Empire and Cortland apples. They are also expecting to see about 10 percent of their normal crop, said Ken Johnson, farm manager.

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He explained that the apples that bloomed early were the ones that died off from the frost. Apples comprise about 20 percent of the 330-acre farm's total business. About 110 acres has produce and eight of that is for apples. They also sell sweet corn, tomatoes, lettuce, and this was a good year for the peach crop, Johnson said. "We'll make it through this year and get to next year," he said confidently. "We were diversified enough to survive this disaster."

The state of New York, the second largest producer of apples to Washington state, usually has about 29 million bushels of apples annually, according to the New York Apple Association. While firm numbers will not be known until likely early next year, the expected apple crop due to the frost is about 14 to 15 million bushels. Michigan, the third largest producer, was also "devastated" by the climate and will only be producing three million, said Molly Golden, director of marketing for the association.

It has been hard to gauge the worst and least hit areas but she said Wayne County in the Rochester area was probably worst off and the Champlain Valley was least impacted since they are still expecting between 75 and 85 percent of their usual crop.

"The Hudson Valley is a large producer for the state," she said.

Variables like elevation, being near water, the variety of apple or even the positioning of the apples on the trees had an impact on the crop outcome. Johnson gave anecdotes of how trees near bodies of water might fare better since the water keeps the nearby areas warm.

He said he also noticed in his own orchards that the apples 4 feet or higher on the tree would usually be fine while those below 4 feet were damaged.

The last time something like this happened in New York was in 1945, said Ed Miller at Goold. "And this year was worse, by far," he said.

A normal apple harvest would typically begin the first or second week of August and end around the first week of November. The expected season at Goold for apples will end later this month while Kristy's Barn said this would likely be the last weekend of pick your own apples.

"This is a serious year for all of us," said Miller. "We're all in the same boat."

She emphasized the importance of still frequenting the farms to support the local business.

And, on the bright side, the wet summer resulted in an apple crop that is sweet tasting, said Golden.

"We always have to look at the bright side in farming," said Johnson.

The Farm at Kristy's Barn, a Schodack farm in its third generation, does not have an upcoming festival but they do have hayrides and a petting zoo, he said.

The Goold Orchards festival this weekend, also featuring the Brookview Station Winery, will have a wine tent, live music including an accordion player from Troy, entertainment like cloggers and Irish dancers, food vendors, 100 craft vendors, pumpkin picking, a variety of fresh made foods and baked goods, a haunted house and a corn maze. The fee is $8 or kids under 12 are free. There is no parking fee for the festival that is Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.